Great Fulford House ([1815?])

Polwhele, Revd. Richard. The history of Devonshire. London: Cadell, Dilly & Murray, 1793-1806. Vol. II. pp. 77 - 78.[…]. Fulford-house lies about two miles and half from the church towards Cheriton. Here Tedburne, Cheriton, and Dunsford meet to the north-west of the house, within a quarter of a mile of it. The approach to the house from the lodge is about a mile, through the park. The house stands on a rising ground near a sheet of water. It consists of a quadrangle. The entrance is through a gateway, in which is a door leading into a small but neat chapel. There are two good eating-rooms, and a very handsome drawing-room, 42 feet in length, and of proportionable height and breadth, containing several good paintings. There are a great number of convenient bed-chambers. "Great Fulford house, as Westcote and Prince describe it, is a large and stately pile, standing pleasantly on a gentle ascent, in an open but somewhat coarse country. It suffered much in the grand rebellion; when it was garrisoned on behalf of Charles the 1st. It was, however, completely repaired at the expence [sic] of Col. Francis Fulford. Without, it is well accommodated with gardens, fishpond; and a park; within, with a beautiful oratory neatly wainscotted and seated, and richly paved with white polished marble; as is the great hall checquerwise [sic] with white and black marble. The staircafe, a piece of exquisite workmanship, diversified with various kinds of wood, artificially inlaid, the carved cieling [sic] of which is exceedingly well executed, conducts us to a noble dining room, or drawing-room, very handsomely furnished. In this drawing-room is to be seen a portrait of Charles the 1st, seated in his royal robes. This picture was painted by Vandyke, after his Majesty's condemnation, and given to Sir Francis Fulford, knight, as a testimony of royal approbation. Here, too, is very large picture, representing the battle of Graveline in 1558." The variety indeed, of fine paintings and carvings throughout the rooms, are too numerous to be described. Over the gateway at the entrance at Great-Fulford, is a bear's head erased muzzled, with nine quarterings of the arms of Fulford, Fitzurse Mourton, Belston, Bozom, St. George, Dennis, St. Aubyn, Shallons. Dean Milles tells us, that "he carefully examined the Herald's - office, where there is a coat of nine quarterings, the same as that over the door of Great-Fulford house." The family of Fulford, descended from the Saxons, were denominated from their house; "as Fulford or Foul ford took its name from a neighbouring brook or ford, which was wont to be foul or muddy after rain, or from the feet of cattle." Thus is the name written in an ancient deed-De turpi vado. The Fulfords have held this place from the days of Richard the 1st, -how long before is uncertain. During this long tract of time, the heirs of this house have matched with the daughters of many noble families, […].[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Copper l.engr

40x70mm

From unpublished supplement to Somers Cocks, 1986